SC upholds Constitutional validity of Aadhaar

September 27, 2018

Upholding the Constitutional validity of Aadhaar, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, delivered its landmark judgement and held that Aadhaar empowers the marginalized section of the society and give them an identity.

A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra passed the remarkable judgement after bearing in great detail the arguments from more than 25 petitioners and Centre and other respondents.

It is better to be unique than being best; Aadhaar means Unique, Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri said, while reading out the verdict in a jam packed courtroom.

The Apex Court said, minimal demographic and biometric data of citizens are collected by the UIDAI for Aadhaar enrolment.

Aadhaar is also different from other ID proofs as it can’t be duplicated. Aadhaar number given to a person is unique and can’t go to any other person, the Apex Court said in its verdict.

The Apex Court, however, said that Aadhaar is mandatory for pan linking.

The decision to treat a bill as a money bill is amenable to judicial review, Justice Chandrachud said while reading out the judgement.

Aadhaar is not mandatory for opening up a bank account, the Apex Court said.

The Apex Court also struck down the section 57 of Aadhaar act, as a result of which private companies can’t ask for Aadhaar.

Justice D Y Chandrachud who is one of the other judges, in the case, said, Aadhaar violates the privacy of rights as it could possibly lead to profiling of persons and voters.